Plate grinding machine



NOV. 28, S P MERMER PLATE GRINDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

Nov. 28, 1933. s. P. MERMER PLATE GRINDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 22, 1930 dummy Patented Nov. 28, 1933 PLATE GRINDING MACHINE Stephan Pr Mermen Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The a Commercial Savings Bank & Trust Company,' Toledo,'0hio, a corporation of hio,.as trustee 1 Application November 22,1930. 1 Serial No. 497,396-

11 Claims.

This invention relates to the grinding of plates, but more particularly to grinding the edges of plates, as for example; glass plates used: for windows and wind shields of vehicles.

- An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved machine for automatically grinding'or beveling'the side and end edges of glass plates whereby at least one side edge and the adjacent end corners may be ground in the desired manner by movement of theplates in'one direction, other edges being ground by changing the position of the plates with respect to the grinding device .without removing the plates from the support. a 7

Another object is to provide a simple and emcient machine which is operable successively to grind difierent edges of a glass plate without removing the plate from its support. I

Afurther object is to provide a machine for grinding one or more glass plates so constructed and arranged that'a single grinding device may grind several side and end edges without the necessity of bodily removing the plate from its support. I i

25 A-still further object is to provide a machine for grinding several edges of one or more plates or panels without removing the plates from the machine. r

- A still further object is to provide a'machine 1 for successively grinding or beveling an end edge, a side edge, and then the opposite end edge of a plate or panel. 1

Further objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the invention is shown by way of illustration on theaccommovable with respect to a grinding wheel on one side only of the wheel; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an alternate form of machine for grinding glass plates in which the plates are moved partially around the grinding wheel, thereby to grind three side edges of the adjacent end corners of the glass plates.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention; as shown in Fig. .1, comprises a frame 10, on which A is mounted agrinding wheel 11. The wheel 11 is driven by an electric motor 12, which is connected by a belt 13 to drive a shaft 14 carrying agear 15. The gear 15 meshes with agear 16 movable with the grinding wheel 11. v f Glassplates P are mounted on'a carrier 17,

which is adapted to support a plurality of plates.

(or. ISL-9,6):

carrier 17 is constructed in two sections pivotally connected at 20 so that one section may swing relatively to the other. This enables the plates Pto be moved in order to rest on their forward edge 1, a suitable latch 21 being adapted to engage a pin 22, which is adapted to hold the carrier sections at right angles to each other until the holder 18 has been moved'to the desired position to hold the plates inproper position. v

' The carrier 1'7 is supported by rollers 23, which rest on a platform 24. A coil spring 25 urges the carrier 17 toward the grinding'wheel 11. One end of the spring 25 maybe detachably connected in order, that it may be releasedfor a purpose hereinafter described. The platform is swiveled at 2 6 to a mounting 2'7. :This' enables the plat form 2 4 to be swung around in order to present" the opposite edges of the plates P to the grinding wheel 11. For example, after the side edge I and adjacent corners have been groundtheplatform 24 may be swung around through an angle of 180 to presentthe edges g'to the grinding wheel 11; At such time theyoke 19 is swung to the dotted line-position to hold the opposite edges in desired alignment. V I Fromthe above it is apparent that' the'glass plates 3 are carried by a universal supportwhich is adapted to present one edge of the plates P I to the grinding 'wheel 11', and then by swinging the mounting through an angle of 180 the opposite, edges are presented to the grinding wheel. 'lihereafter, if the remaining edges are to be ground the sections of the carrier 17 may be swung relatively to each other in order to swing the plates through an angle of- 90, whereupon first one edge and then the opposite edge may be presented to the grinding wl'ieel'. In order yieldingly to urge the carrier '17 toward the grinding wheel 11 when the carrier is swung around from theposition shown on Fig. 1, a spring 25 is connected to the forward portion of the carrier. It will be obvious that the spring 25 must be detached and the spring 25 connected for this purpose.

' The mounting 27 is supported by bell crank levers 28 and 29 of substantially triangular shape.

31 respectively to the frame 10. As shown, a link 32 pivotally connects the lower end portions of the bell cranks 28 and 29. An arm 33 is pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the bell crank 29 and the outer portion of a worm wheel 34. A worm 35 drives the worm wheel34, and a motor 36 is connected to drive the worm 35. a

In operation, it will be understood that the mounting 27 is reciprocated by the bell cranks 29, which are actuated by the worm Wheel 34, through the connections above described. Since the plates P are yieldingly urged toward the grind,- ing wheel 11, it will be apparent that, during movement in one direction, end corners, side edges, and the opposite end corners of the plates are successively ground. The plates P tend to follow the periphery of the grinding wheel 11, so

a that during the start of the movement of the plates in one direction, end edges in engagement with the grinding wheel 11 are ground as they pass overthe, grinding wheel; subsequently, the side edges are moved into engagement with the wheel, and finally the opposite end edges of the-plates following for a portionof their travel the periphery of the grinding wheel, operate to grind or bevel the same. Afterone side has been ground the platform 24 may be. swungaround and then the opposite sidern ay be similarly treated. If the remaining sideedges are to beground the sec- 1 tions of the; carrier 17 maybe adjusted after the manner above described. a

. From the above description it is manifest that the machine is operable successively to grind or bevel an end edge, aside edge, and; thereafter the posite end orcorner edge without manual hanedges and adjacent cornersof a plurality of glass] plates may be ground .withqut, removing. the plates from the support, it is manifest that breakage ofthe p1ates, duetothe-handling thereof, is prac-. tically, eliminated, so. that not only does, thisimae chine facilitate production, enabling-alargenuma ber of plates to be ground in a, comparatively short period of time, but also dispenses with, losses, which have-heretofore been occasioned due-to breakage or cracking of the plates in the handling of them.

I In the form of my invention shownin Eig. 2, a single grinding. wheel ll is provided mounted: for rotation one,frame-10%.. Platforms 27% and 27 are disposedv on-opposite sides of thewheel 11 ,The platform: 2% is actuated by bell crank. levers 3.7 and 38, which are similar to the. bell cranks 28 and 29,, and are pivoted to the frame, 10*. I The; lowerends of the bell cranks, 3'7 and 38 are pivotally connected by a link 39. The link 39 is connected byan arm 40-to-theouter por-, tionzof; aworm wheel ll-deriving its power-from a motor 42 through;suitablegearing43 and a worm 44. The mounting 27' is similarly actuated by bell cranks 45 and 46;, which are connected'at J their lower-ends by a. link 47,- which in turn is 49; is supported on the mounting 27? by rollers 50, and a carrier 51 issupported on -is ill its lowered position, upon upward movement of the platform 27 it will be apparent that one side edge and adjacent end corners will be beveled in the mannerheretofore described. The

upward movement of the platform 2'7 continues until the lower edges of the glass plates P are substantially in alignment with the upper edge of the grinding wheel 11 The'plates P are then moved horizontally over the grinding wheel 11 in order to grind or bevel the lower side edge and adjacent end corners after the manner heretofore described; This movement. is accomplished by; means-of an; end;

less :chain 53 supported by-sprockets 54 mounted at opposite ends of the machine frame; iosand,

driven in, any suitable manner by a motor; -.E 5, which may also be connected to drive the grindingI wheel 11. It isappa ti at Q h k riers-49 and 51 are'rollers- 56, over whichthe;

platesP may ride. An actuator 57 suitably guid-. ed on the carrier 49 is provided with a finger- 58 adapted to. enga e. ina l nkv of he. ha n. .31:.

A roller 59 carried by the actuator 57 is en age: able with the, plates P.

It will be apparent that when the carrier- 49 moves :upwardly the finger-5 8 of the actuator 57 will be forced into engagement with; one: Of-f' the links of the chain 53 and thereupon the plates P', together with a holder lfi will be moved horizontally over the grinding wheel I1 thereby grinding the lower, side edge and-adjacent side corners after the manner above described. will be understood that during this, movement the p a ay may not res u on an e'sun ported by the grinding wheel 11 depending.- upon the space betweenthe carriers49and 51 when in raised position and the size of the platesB,

Horizontal movementof the plates P continues until the rear .end corner is beveled, and

thelplates are disposed upon the carrier51; which,

during the horizontal movement ofthe: plates,

has moved downwardly and, is again brought; up Wardly in position to receive the plates 1? and holder 18 Thereupon the platform 27 which supports the carrier 51, is moved downwardly so that the rear side edge, and adjacent end corhers is beveled. It will be understood; that the actuator 57 is disengaged from the chain 5 3.and returnedto the carrier 49. After the carrier; 51.; has moved to its lowermost position and the three side edges and their corners have been ground, the plates may be manually discharged from the mac in e a From the above description it is manifest'that th v pl e P. ar first m v d. u wa ly atone de of the grinding, wheel 11 then horizontally across the top, of the grinding wheel, and'finally downwardly, thereby grin in successivelythree side edges of the. plates, In the form shown, a somewhat curvilinearmotion is impartedtoithe plates during their upwardand downward movements, whereby the four end corners of the plates are beveled or ground, so that not only arethd operation without the necessity of It is to be understood that in the forms of my 7 invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side edges of the plates may be ground without grinding the end corners, this being effected by imparting more nearly rectilinear movements to the plates instead of curvilinear movements. Under some conditions it may not be necessary to grind the end corners, and yet grinding or beveling of the side edges be quite desirable. Should it be found desirable to grind a side edge and but one end corner, this may be accomplished by starting a plate at approximately the central portion of one side of the grinding wheel.

Numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims. Although I have described the construction and operation of the embodiments of the invention in respect of glass plates, it is within the purview of the invention to similarly grind plates of materials other than glass.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by 7 Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a grinding device, a carrier for supporting a plate in substantially vertical position, means to hold the plate in engagement with said grinding device, means to impart relative shifting movement between said carrier and grinding device thereby to grind one side of the plate, and a swivel mounting for said carrier whereby said carrier may be swung around to grind an opposite side of the plate.

2. The combination of a grinding wheel, a pair of plate-supporting carriers disposed respectively on opposite sides of said grinding wheel, a means to impart reciprocatory movements to said carriers in parallel planes at substantially right angles to the axis of said wheel, a holder for said carriers for retaining the plate in substantially vertical position and in edge engagement with' said wheel, and means to shift said holder across said wheel from one carrier to the other.

3. The combination of a grinding wheel, a platform reciprocable vertically at one side of said wheel, means to impart movement to said platform, a carrier for supporting a plate on edge in substantially vertical position and in edge engagement with said wheel, and means for mounting said carrier on said platform to enable horizontal movement of said carrier with respect to said platform.

4. The combination of a grinding wheel, a platform reciprocable vertically at one side of said wheel, means to impart movement to said platform, a carrier for supporting a plate on edge in substantially vertical position and in edge engagement with said wheel, means for mounting said carrier on said platformv to enable horizontal movement of said carrier with respect to said platform, and a swivel mounting for said platform to enable the latter to be swung about to present an opposite side to said grinding wheel.

5. The combination of a grinding wheel, a platform vertically reciprocable at one side of said wheel, means to impart movement to said platform, a carrier for supporting a plate on edge in substantially vertical position and in edge engagement with saidwheel, said carrier being so constructed as to tilt the plate thereon from one I side to another, and means for mounting said carrier on said platform. to enable horizontal movement of said carrier with respect to said platform. p I

6. Glass plate grinding apparatus comprising a glass platecarrier, a grinder for grinding the side edges and end corners of the plate, means to impart to and fro movements to said carrier on one side of said grinder thereby successively to grind an end corner, a side edge and opposite end corner, and means to adjust said carrier for selectively positioning other edges and corners of the plate for grindingwithout re- I moving the plate from the carrier.

7. Glass plate grinding apparatus comprising a glass plate carrier, 2. curvilinear grinder, means to impart movement to said carrier relative to said grinder for causing the plate to travel in a curvilinear path with an edge thereof in engagement with the grinder thereby to grind op-' posite end corners and a side edge of the plate, and means to shift said carrier for presenting other edges of the plate to said grinder without removing the plate from said carrier.

8. Glass plate grinding apparatus comprising a rotatable grinder, a glass plate carrier adapted on said platform for supporting a plate with the plane of the faces thereof disposed at substantially right angles. to the axis of said wheel, means to adjust said carrier to tilt the plate thereon from one. side to another, thereby to for mounting said carrier on said platform to afford lateral movement thereof toward and away from said wheel. 1

10. Glass plate grinding apparatus comprising circular grinding means, a carrier for a substantiallyrectangular glass plate, means to hold the plate against rotativemovements during the grinding operation, means to effect translatory 'movement between said carrier and grinding present another side/to said wheel, and means means with an edge of the plate in engagement with the grinder to cause the plate to follow the curvature of said grinding means.

. 11. In a glass plate grinding apparatus, means to support a plate of glass-on edge and in up- .right position, a. circular grinder for grinding the edge of 'said plate, and means to impart translatory movement to'saidsupporting means in a path defined by the periphery of said grinder and in such manner that the plate is maintained with its edge portions in the same rela-.

tive position throughout its movement.

STEPHAN P. MERMER. 

